Spanning an era of cultural rebirth in Europe that harkened back to antiquity, the Renaissance was a time of change in design. From the late 1400s to the early 1600s, Rome, Venice and Florence emerged as artistic centers through the expansion of global trade and a humanist belief in the arts being central to society. Antique Renaissance furniture was ornately carved from sturdy woods like walnut, its details standing out against the tapestries and stained glass adorning the walls.
Renaissance chests, which were frequently commissioned for marriages, were often decorated with gilding or painted elements. Those that were known as cassoni were crafted in shapes based on classical sarcophagi. As opposed to the medieval era, when furniture was pared down to the necessities, a wide range of Renaissance chairs, tables and cabinets were created for the home, and the designs regularly referenced ancient Rome.
Large torchères of the Renaissance era that were used as floor lamps were inspired by classical candelabras, while marble surfaces evoked frescoes. The inlaid boxes being imported from the Middle East informed the intarsia technique, which involved varying hues of wood in mosaic-like patterns, such as those by architect Giuliano da Maiano in the Florence Cathedral.
Tapestry-woven cushion covers accented the variety of Renaissance seating — from conversation to study chairs — while bookcases for secular use reflected the migration of culture and knowledge from the church into the home. The aesthetics of the Italian Renaissance later spread to France through the publishing of work by renowned designers, including Hugues Sambin and Jacques Androuet du Cerceau. Centuries later, the 19th-century Renaissance Revival would see a return to this influential style.
Find a collection of antique Renaissance case pieces, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Italy Ligurian Carved Oak and Chestnut Credenza Bambocci Sideboard
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Valuable noble Italy Ligurian carved oak and chestnut credenza Bambocci, sideboard with display cabinet. All original with exception of the cabinet glasses....
Chestnut, Oak
Italian Baroque Cabinets, Rosewood & Ebony, Circa 1850
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Italian Baroque-style (Mid-19th Century) bone inlaid, ebony & rosewood cabinets with an arched "broken" pediment over a glazed front door & lower door with inlaid de...
Rosewood
$16,116Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century French Walnut Renaissance Grand Cabinet with Crystal Vitrines
Located in Sofia, BG
This magnificent and rare 19th century Renaissance grand cabinet with vitrines features intricate decorations heavily carved into the solid walnut wood. There are massive carved wood...
Walnut
Renaissance Style Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Renaissance style vitrine cabinet is a stunningly beautiful masterpiece in white oak with superb carvings and detail. Note the fourteen carved figures, lion's heads and other su...
Oak
Antique Ebonized Wood, Gilt Bronze and Hardstone Cabinet
Located in London, GB
This cabinet is an exquisite piece of antique furniture, which is crafted from beautifully-contrasting ebonised wood, golden gilt bronze (ormolu) and colourful hardstones. The ca...
Multi-gemstone, Ormolu, Brass, Bronze
1852 Ornate Italian Vitrine
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Italian vitrine from 1852 is actually four separate parts, it towers over you at ten feet high, and is absolutely majestic. It features a dove in flight on top of a cameo of foliage and garlands that rest upon the upper cabinet. This upper section is adorned with a large rams head in the center of the upper band. The front has two glazed door with etched glass flanked by Acanthus scrollwork and two corner shelves. Two gorgeous hand carved grotesques in the form of Wolfhounds support the upper case. The base cabinet has two hand-scalloped drawers separated by a large bull-calf’s head...
Glass, Wood
Oak Slatted Credenza / Sideboard - Fully Customizable
Located in Portland, OR
Solid wood credenza / sideboard with slatted screen doors in white oak built by Material in Portland, Oregon. The clean modern lines and quiet texture o...
Oak
Mastercraft Brass Vitrine
By Mastercraft
Located in Hanover, MA
Mastercraft model 326 vintage 1970s Palladian style brass, glass and antiqued smoked mirror vitrine display curio cabinet, designed circa 1970 by ...
Brass
$2,945Sale Price|28% Off
H 29.75 in W 45.25 in D 18.5 in
Mastercraft Brass Illuminated Demilune Vitrine Cabinet, 1970s, Signed
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible brass demilune display cabinet, produced by Mastercraft in the 1970s, features a mirrored and illuminated interior, exquisite textured top, a pair of glass doors and ...
Brass
$3,358
H 49.61 in W 41.74 in D 14.18 in
Art Deco Spectacular Display Cabinet Vitrine, English, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
Impressively wacky shaped and genuinely rare design is this superb 1930's English Art Deco Display cabinet. This beautiful cabinet is veneered in a lightly figured walnut veneer which has the most glorious patterning to the grain and retains a mid tone in colouring. The interior features a generously sized display area for your collection. There are three internal glass shelves . The beautiful astragal glass...
Glass, Walnut, Plywood, Bentwood
Oak Slatted Credenza / Sideboard With Record Player Hatch
Located in Portland, OR
Solid wood credenza / sideboard with slatted screen doors in white oak built by Material in Portland, Oregon. This piece is outfitted with a top hatch door for access to a space for ...
Oak
$555
H 53.5 in W 26 in D 14 in
Vernis Martin French Curio Cabinet Bronze Mounts and Hand Painted Panels
By Vernis Martin
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Distressed paint but structurally sound and tight, Vernis Martin vitrine with hand painted panels, bronze mounts and curved glass. Has working lockset & key. Three glass shelves all ...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Marquetry Italian Wall Vitrines
Located in Houston, TX
Handsome pair of 19th century Italian wall vitrines. Each petite cabinet features beautiful marquetry, bronze ormolu, glass door and single shelf.
Wood
$84,950
H 85 in W 56 in D 19 in
French 19th C. Louis XVI Style Mahogany & Ormolu Mounted Display Cabinet Vitrine
By Adam Weisweiler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XVI Style mahogany and ormolu mounted two-door display cabinet vitrine, after a model by Adam Weisweiler (French, 1744-1820) with two-doors belo...
Ormolu
Flemish Buffet a Deux Corps in Carved Oak, circa 1850
Located in Miami, FL
Exceptionally well-carved Flemish buffet a deux corps in oak in the Renaissance Revival style of Henri II. This cupboard features very well-articulated ...
Walnut
Interesting Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze and Lacquer Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Fine Late 19th Century Transitional Style Gilt Bronze and Lacquer Vitrine Cabinet The large gilt bronze and all glass single door vitrine above a fine two door lacquered cabinet ...
Bronze
Virginia House Carved Oak Sideboard
Located in Elkton, MD
Carved oak sideboard by Virginia House, featuring detailed front panels and classic iron hardware. The piece has a central cabinet flanked by two side doors with decorative carving, ...
Oak
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 78.75 in W 47.25 in D 21.66 in
1960s Industrial Vitrine in Metal, Italian Mid-Century Furniture
Located in Milano, IT
Industrial Furniture - Mid-Century Modern Display Vitrine - Collectible Design Offered for sale is a 1960s display vitrine in steel and glass, ...
Steel
Display cabinet, France, circa 1870.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Display cabinet, France, circa 1870. Very good condition, after professional renovation. Wood: walnut dimensions: height 175 cm width 125 cm depth 48 cm
Walnut
20th Italian Renaissance style display cabinet
Located in Buggiano, IT
Italian Renaissance style display cabinet of 1900 original in hand-carved solid ebonized fir, with two original glass doors of the time. Patinated cream white color. Three internal ...
Fir
Rare 19th Century Italian Vitrine Ferdinando Pogliani Style
By Ferdinando Pogliani
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare 19th century Italian Vitrine. Magnificent inlay work. Measures: 190cm x 110cm x 40cm. Provenance: Italian private family. Ferdinando Pogli...
Wood
Display cabinet, France, circa 1870. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Display cabinet, France, circa 1870. Very good condition, after professional renovation. Wood: walnut dimensions: height 175 cm width 125 cm depth 48 cm
Walnut
Library from the interwar period, Germany.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Library from the interwar period, Germany. Very good condition. Wood: oak dimensions height 181 cm width 228 cm depth 47 cm
Oak
Historical library from the 1920s, Western Europe.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Library from around 1920. The furniture is in very good condition. Wood: walnut Dimensions: height 190 cm, length 240 cm, depth 60 cm
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Henri II Style Hand Carved Walnut Vitrine
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late nineteenth century French Henri II vitrine is constructed of hand-carved walnut and features beveled glass on three sides. Hand carved acanthus leaves detail the sides and ...
Glass, Mirror, Walnut
Sold
H 98 in W 32.5 in D 13.5 in
Tall Late 19th Century French Henri II Style Hand Carved Oak Bookcase or Vitrine
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Standing just over 8 feet in height, this tall, narrow late nineteenth century French Henri II style bleached oak bookcase or vitrine features two upper doors with their original han...
Iron
Portuguese Oratory from the 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Oratory Portuguese from the 17th century, in carved and gilded wood decorated with windings and fantastic animals. Christ in polychrome wood. Some defects. Dim.: (total) 206 x 90 x ...
Wood
Renaissance Library, France, circa 1850
Located in Chorzów, PL
The original Renaissance-style library is from France. Made of walnut wood, door leaves and sides are glazed with original crystal glass. The furniture has tilted storage compartment...
Walnut
Sold
H 78 in W 41.75 in D 15 in
Late 19th Century French Henri II Style Hand-Carved Walnut Bookcase or Vitrine
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This small scale late nineteenth century Henri II walnut bibliotheque or bookcase rests on finial feet and features fluted columns flanking its glass doors. A simple diamond carving ...
Blown Glass, Walnut
Italian Walnut Vitrine / Display Cupboard
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Stunning early 20th C Italian carved and bleached walnut display cupboard. Three fixed glass shelves, 1920 Dimensions: 59 inches (150 cms) wide 21 inches (53 cms) deep 89.5 inc...
Walnut